Victor Alas stands between defense attorneys Kurt Went and Mario Madrid while listening to charges in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes. less

Victor Alas stands between defense attorneys Kurt Went and Mario Madrid while listening to charges in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Victor Alas arrives to the 338th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, June 15, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes. less

Victor Alas arrives to the 338th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, June 15, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutor Britni Cooper delivers opening remarks to jurors in the capitol murder case of Victor Alas in the 338th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes. less

Prosecutor Britni Cooper delivers opening remarks to jurors in the capitol murder case of Victor Alas in the 338th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Victor Alas stands between defense attorneys Kurt Went and Mario Madrid while listening to charges in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes. less

Victor Alas stands between defense attorneys Kurt Went and Mario Madrid while listening to charges in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Victor Alas listens to defense attorneys Kurt Went and Mario Madrid after opening remarks at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes. less

Victor Alas listens to defense attorneys Kurt Went and Mario Madrid after opening remarks at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, June 14, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Victor Alas arrives to the 338th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, June 15, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes. less

Victor Alas arrives to the 338th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, June 15, 2015, in Houston. Alas is facing life without parole if convicted of capital murder of the ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Defense attorney Jerald Graber, left and Jose Reyes, center, are seen at the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse after jurors announced Reyes guilty of capital murder in the killing of Corriann Cervantes.

Defense attorney Jerald Graber, left and Jose Reyes, center, are seen at the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse after jurors announced Reyes guilty of capital murder in the

Defense attorney Jerald Graber, left and Jose Reyes, are seen after closing arguments in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. Reyes is accused of killing Corriann Cervantes as part of a satanic ritual. less

Defense attorney Jerald Graber, left and Jose Reyes, are seen after closing arguments in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. Reyes is accused of killing Corriann Cervantes ... more

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutor John Jordan holds a screw driver used in the murder of Corriann Cervantes as he acts out a stabbing motion during closing arguments in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. He is accused of killing Corriann Cervantes as part of a satanic ritual. less

Prosecutor John Jordan holds a screw driver used in the murder of Corriann Cervantes as he acts out a stabbing motion during closing arguments in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal ... more

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutor John Jordan holds piece of a toilet used in the murder of Corriann Cervantes, during closing arguments in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. He is accused of killing Corriann Cervantes as part of a satanic ritual. less

Prosecutor John Jordan holds piece of a toilet used in the murder of Corriann Cervantes, during closing arguments in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. He is accused of ... more

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Jose E. Reyes is accused of killing 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment in Clear Lake on Feb. 4 in an effort to sell his soul to the Devil.

Jose E. Reyes is accused of killing 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment in Clear Lake on Feb. 4 in an effort to sell his soul to the Devil.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begins in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Mayra Beltran) less

Opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begins in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, MBI

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Jose Reyes faces an automatic life sentence if he's convicted of capital murder. He isn't eligible for the death penalty because he was 17 at the time Corriann Cervantes was killed.

Jose Reyes faces an automatic life sentence if he's convicted of capital murder. He isn't eligible for the death penalty because he was 17 at the time Corriann Cervantes was killed.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

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Capital murder defendant Jose Reyes appears in court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. and another teen are charged with capital murder in a case that made national headlines because of its brutality and connection to the occult.

Capital murder defendant Jose Reyes appears in court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. and another teen are charged with capital murder in a case that made national headlines because of its brutality and connection to the

Judge Brock Thomas listens to defense lawyers and prosecutor during the opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Houston. less

Judge Brock Thomas listens to defense lawyers and prosecutor during the opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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The council approaches the bench to begin opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Houston. less

The council approaches the bench to begin opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutor John Jordan delivers his opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Houston. less

Prosecutor John Jordan delivers his opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutor John Jordan delivers his opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Houston. less

Prosecutor John Jordan delivers his opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Houston. less

Opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8, ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutor John Jordan gets ready to deliver his opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Houston. less

Prosecutor John Jordan gets ready to deliver his opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Defense Attorney Bob Loper discusses case with attorney Jerald Graber during the opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Houston. less

Defense Attorney Bob Loper delivers opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Houston. less

Defense Attorney Bob Loper delivers opening statement in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

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Opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Houston.

Opening statements in the capital murder trial of Jose Reyes, accused of killing Corriann Cervantes, begin today in the 338th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 8,

Relatives of Corriann Cervantes, the 15-year-old girl killed in what police said was an occult slaying, held a press conference the Harris County criminal justice center.

Relatives of Corriann Cervantes, the 15-year-old girl killed in what police said was an occult slaying, held a press conference the Harris County criminal justice center.

Photo: J. Patric Schneier, For The Houston Chronicle

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Relatives of Corriann Cervantes, the 15-year-old girl killed in what police said was an occult slaying, held a press conference the Harris County criminal justice center.

Relatives of Corriann Cervantes, the 15-year-old girl killed in what police said was an occult slaying, held a press conference the Harris County criminal justice center.

Photo: J. Patric Schneier, For The Houston Chronicle

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Relatives of Corriann Cervantes, the 15-year-old girl killed in what police said was an occult slaying, held a press conference the Harris County criminal justice center.

Relatives of Corriann Cervantes, the 15-year-old girl killed in what police said was an occult slaying, held a press conference the Harris County criminal justice center.

Photo: J. Patric Schneier, For The Houston Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds a picture of her as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston.

Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds a picture of her as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes aunts, Catera Cervantes and Roseanne Harding walk up to a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Corriann Cervantes aunts, Catera Cervantes and Roseanne Harding walk up to a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds a picture of her as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds a picture of her as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes aunt Catera and her father Cory speak to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Corriann Cervantes aunt Catera and her father Cory speak to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes aunt Catera and her father Cory speak to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Corriann Cervantes aunt Catera and her father Cory speak to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Family members of Corriann Cervantes hold on to each other as they leave a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Family members of Corriann Cervantes hold on to each other as they leave a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds back his emotions as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds back his emotions as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Corriann Cervantes aunts, from left to right, Roseanne Harding, Michelle Abernethy, Catera Cervantes and her father Cory Cervantes, speak to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Corriann Cervantes aunts, from left to right, Roseanne Harding, Michelle Abernethy, Catera Cervantes and her father Cory Cervantes, speak to members of the media during a press conference held outside the ... more

Ashlee Brown, 15, left, and Reagan Deschenes, 18, embrace at a vigil in Clear Lake for Corriann Cervantes. Officers say Cervantes was sexually assaulted and killed by two boys in a satanic ritual on Feb. 5.

Ashlee Brown, 15, left, and Reagan Deschenes, 18, embrace at a vigil in Clear Lake for Corriann Cervantes. Officers say Cervantes was sexually assaulted and killed by two boys in a satanic ritual on Feb. 5.

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

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Annabelle Richard, 11, center, joins supporters during a vigil for Corriann Cervantes Feb. 12, 2014 in Clear Lake, TX. Cervantes was sexually assaulted by two teens and then killed in a vacant Clear Lake apartment in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Annabelle Richard, 11, center, joins supporters during a vigil for Corriann Cervantes Feb. 12, 2014 in Clear Lake, TX. Cervantes was sexually assaulted by two teens and then killed in a vacant Clear Lake ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

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Supporters hold a vigil for Corriann Cervantes Feb. 12, 2014 in Clear Lake, TX. Cervantes was sexually assaulted by two teens and then killed in a vacant Clear Lake apartment in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Supporters hold a vigil for Corriann Cervantes Feb. 12, 2014 in Clear Lake, TX. Cervantes was sexually assaulted by two teens and then killed in a vacant Clear Lake apartment in an effort to make a deal with ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

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Annabelle Richard, 11, left, and Reagan Deschenes, 18 join supporters during a vigil for Corriann Cervantes Feb. 12, 2014 in Clear Lake, TX. Cervantes was sexually assaulted by two teens and then killed in a vacant Clear Lake apartment in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less

Annabelle Richard, 11, left, and Reagan Deschenes, 18 join supporters during a vigil for Corriann Cervantes Feb. 12, 2014 in Clear Lake, TX. Cervantes was sexually assaulted by two teens and then killed in a ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

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Jose E. Reyes and a 16-year-old have been arrested in the death of Corriann Cervantes. Officer say the boys killed the girl in an effort to make a deal with the devil.

Jose E. Reyes and a 16-year-old have been arrested in the death of Corriann Cervantes. Officer say the boys killed the girl in an effort to make a deal with the devil.

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Corriann Cervantes was found dead ﻿in a vacant unit at The Bays Apartments in Clear Lake with an upside down cross on her stomach.﻿

Corriann Cervantes was found dead ﻿in a vacant unit at The Bays Apartments in Clear Lake with an upside down cross on her stomach.﻿

Corriann Cervantes, 15, was found brutally murdered after being abducted. The killing took place at a vacant apartment on The Bays Apartments in Clear Lake. Two teenagers have been accused of the murder. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014. less

Corriann Cervantes, 15, was found brutally murdered after being abducted. The killing took place at a vacant apartment on The Bays Apartments in Clear Lake. Two teenagers have been accused of the murder. ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Second teen gets automatic life sentence in satanic slaying

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The second suspect in a grisly murder case was found guilty Friday in what has been described as a satanic ritual killing of a 15-year-old Houston girl.

Victor Alas and Jose E. Reyes were convicted for strangling, stabbing and sexually assaulting Corriann Cervantes last year. They also carved an upside-down cross in her abdomen.

Following a week-long trial in District Judge Brock Thomas' court, a jury found 17-year-old Alas guilty, giving him an automatic life sentence. During his trial, prosecutors shared a video of Alas confessing to strangling Cervantes.

Later in the trial, Alas testified, an unusual move. "Alas chose to take the stand and say he gave a false statement to law enforcement at the location and that he did not take part in the murder, but the jury saw through that," prosecutor John Jordan said.

"We've always believed that this crime was evil and both people could be easily convicted," Jordan said. "(Reyes') jury got a lot more evidence of satanic issues."

Reyes was convicted last year of capital murder after prosecutors shared letters he sent from jail stating the devil was directing him during the murder. Witnesses testified that Reyes bragged about the slaying as a means of selling his and Alas' souls to the devil.

Witnesses in Reyes' trial testified that, on the night of the slaying, the three teens were at a party where they were drinking, smoking marijuana and taking Xanax. Following the party, the group reported left together and began to have consensual sex in a vacant apartment in Clear Lake.

Cervantes was strangled with a belt, beat in the head with a porcelain toilet lid and stabbed repeatedly with a screwdriver. Plastic rods from the window blinds in the apartment were used to gouge out her eyes and then to sexually assault her.

In order to reach a capital murder conviction, prosecutors needed to prove he intentionally killed while also committing a felony or causing serious injury.